27 July 2011

26 July 2011

Things have been a bit crazy around our house for the past couple of weeks. We've all been coming and going, but separately and to different places. Saturday night I found myself unexpectedly waiting at the Omaha airport for Daughter to arrive. (Weather delays resulted in her flying in to Omaha, 2.5 hours away.)

Those of you who know me will attest to the fact that I have NO sense of direction, so the fact that I even FOUND the Omaha airport (and at night, even!) was quite remarkable in itself. Even more impressive (HA!) was the fact that I located our portable Tom Tom and managed to plug in the address. So after driving to Chicago (and now Omaha) with the Tom Tom last week, I have bonded with the GPS lady. "Keep left. Keep keeping left."I love her. She knows that I need that level of reassurance.

At any rate, with help from the GPS lady, I arrived in Omaha an hour early for Daughter's 11:30 pm flight (which actually didn't arrive until 12:10 am) and promptly realized I had forgotten to bring a book or magazine or anything whatsoever to read. And at 11:30 pm, I assure you that there is nothing open at the Omaha airport. Except a coffee shop "staffed" (I use that word loosely) by a pointy-haired guy. After several trips around the airport corridors, the only things I could find to read were a visitor's guide (did you know that Omaha has at least five farmers' markets?) and a catalog about Omaha steaks.

I'm definitely not a steak person to begin with, but looking at all those slick pictures of meat certainly didn't convert me. YIKES. They do sell pet-sized portions. Maybe that would be a better deal for me.

So I moved on and found this sign. I don't know about you, but I pretty much always park on a surface of some sort. I generally don't HOVER in my car.

After getting a coffee from the point-haired guy, I sat down in the empty food court next to this large timepiece and noticed the text at the top. Sure, Omaha may not be the most exciting place on earth, but couldn't the marketing people have come up with something a little less apologetic to print on a cast-iron clock?

Not far from the clock I found this elaborate dispenser for -- you guessed it -- SPOONS! But not just ANY kind of spoons -- MULTI-PURPOSE SPOONS! Intrigued, I pushed the red lever and out came a regular, normal-looking plastic spoon. Not even a SPORK. Disappointment at the Omaha airport.

But at least it gave me something to do while Passing Time in Omaha.

And it was well worth the time because I got to spend 2.5 hours chatting with Daughter all the way home.

22 July 2011

While I was away this past week, care of the kitties fell to Spouse. I can't recall when or even if Spouse has ever had to cat-sit for me. But Daughter was also away, so Spouse had no choice but to step up to the plate. Mind you, he barely knows the names of the kitties, let alone how to take care of them.

But while I was gone, something very surprising happened: Spouse sent me a few cell phone pictures, including this one which he labeled "Lunch Time". He NEVER lets Lily put her feet on the table, so I was surprised he let her stay in that position long enough to take the picture.

This could only mean one thing: Lily was winning him over.

Tinsel understandably became a little freaked out with Spouse in the House, so for a couple of days she only picked at her food. Then, in an uncharacteristic display of concern, he put Lily in the basement one evening so that Tinsel could dine in peace. And I received this nice cell phone picture captioned "Maybe I will eat something."

21 July 2011

Just a quick post to say acknowledge that I've been missing in action from my blog. I have not fallen off the face of the earth (YET, anyway)! I've just returned from a few days at CHA (Craft and Hobby Association convention) -- a great time, as you can imagine! While we were there, we got to take a couple of classes with Tim Holtz, the rock star of the crafting world.

Now I'm up to my ears in a few projects with tight deadlines. Once I get things under control around here -- which should be SOON! -- I'll be back.

14 July 2011

In honor of the final movie of the Harry Potter series, I thought I'd share a little known FACT today about our Lily...since it's Feline Friday.

We brought Lily home at the end of Daughter's eighth grade school year. She and her classmates were knee deep in the Harry Potter series at that time, so it was only fitting that she decided to name our new kitten after Lily Evans, Harry Potter's mother. She chose the middle name of Ginevra, Ginny's given name. Ginny is the younger sister of Harry's best friend, Ron Weasley, and she eventually ends up marrying Harry. Sadly, I don't think our Lily is going to be as lucky in love as Ginny.

On a related note, earlier this week Daughter transformed her friend into a dementor by way of a black sheet.

Cutest dementor I ever did see.

I remember Daughter saying many years ago that she and her friends would be in college by the time the final movie was released. And now, hard as it is to believe, that time is upon us.

Having witnessed my Daughter grow up with Harry Potter, this final film signifies much more to me than the end of an epic book series and movie franchise.

So here's to cats named after beloved book characters. And here's to dementors in my dining room. And years of Halloween costumes and eager analysis of all things Hogwarts. Here's to the end of an era. The end of childhood, really. *sniff*Thanks, HP. It's been a great run.

I have always struggled with bloom times in my perennial gardens. By mid-summer, my spring plants are done blooming and my beds look bleak.

But I'm excited to report that I have more flowers than ever at this point in the summer! I'm really enjoying the extra containers I filled with flowers this spring, and the most of the new perennials I planted have survived and are blooming right now.

In addition to the extra containers, I think the answer for me has been to PLANT IN VOLUME. The beds look fuller and there is a little bit of "cushion" if one of the plants doesn't survive.

09 July 2011

I'm not usually one to push the seasons along any faster than they arrive on their own, but today I'm making an exception. On this bright and sunny summer day, I'm teaching a Christmas card class at Memory Bound ! I'll be doing our "normal" Christmas card classes starting in October, but for those who want to get a jump start on the holidays, this little card set will do the trick!

Hmmm...Christmas cards without freezing cold temperatures or icy roads? I could get used to this!

06 July 2011

One of the main reasons I love to have flowers in the yard is so that I can bring them inside. My cupboards are full of small vases and containers for gathering bright blooms all season long.

This little gathering of pink zinnias is sitting on our bathroom sink right now.

I find flowers to be a cheerful spot of color. They add instant elegance to the simplest of surroundings.

I recently found several photos of little bouquets from past years. As you can see, my flower gatherings are nothing elaborate. I think the best ones consist of a little bit of this and that...whatever happens to be blooming right now.

This is an early spring bouquet with bluebells and daffodils.

I love the simple look of zinnias. I just wish I had better luck with them.

Here's a mixed bouquet -- typical of whatever I collect as I roam around the yard with my scissors.

Welcome!

I'm glad you dropped in! Pull up a chair, then grab a cup of coffee, your fuzzy socks, and a kitty or two. Some days we'll talk about cats, and other days we'll chat about cardstock or my latest culinary disaster. Whatever the subject, I hope you'll find this to be a happy and inspirational stop on your life's journey!

Follow me!

Follow me by e-mail!

About Me

I'm a paper crafter with a simple style. I love clean, straight lines, cardstock, and striped paper. I adore fonts and appreciate understated design.
In addition to my own crafting, I also teach scrapbooking and card-making classes. In my past life, I worked as a learning and development consultant. I love teaching and consider it a privilege to do so!
In real life, I'm a spouse, only child, mom to a wonderful daughter (the light of my life!), and doting servant to two adorable kitties.